Palringo, the rich messaging client for iPhone with support for a host of popular instant messaging services, has been updated  to add new location based features.

Starting today, Palringo users contact lists will include location based information including town and distance. The company promises a future release that will allow a user to include his/her current location on a map.

“Just knowing where people are can be really useful, and knowing how far away they are is even better. The prospect of knowing where someone is before you start adds a whole new dimension to your conversation,” said Kerry Ritz, Palringo’s CEO. “It can eliminate worry and will probably mean the end of a lot of unnecessary ‘Where are you?’ calls. And soon you’ll pretty much be able to watch your friend, a few minutes late for your rendezvous, approaching on a map,” he added.